TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments herein relate to transmissions on a random access channel in a radio
communication network. In particular, embodiments herein relate to a user equipment
and a method therein for performing preamble transmissions on the random access channel,
to a network node. Embodiments also relate to a network node and a method therein
for reception of preamble transmissions from the user equipment.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a typical radio communications network, wireless terminals, also known as mobile
stations, terminals and/or user equipments (UEs) communicate via a Radio Access Network
(RAN) to one or more core networks. The radio access network covers a geographical
area which is divided into cell areas, with each cell area being served by a base
station, e.g. a radio base station (RBS) or network node, which in some networks may
also be called, for example, a "NodeB" or "eNodeB". A cell is a geographical area
where radio coverage is provided by the radio base station at a base station site
or an antenna site in case the antenna and the radio base station are not collocated.
Each cell is identified by an identity within the local radio area, which is broadcasted
in the cell. Another identity identifying the cell uniquely in the whole mobile network
is also broadcasted in the cell. One base station may have one or more cells. A cell
may be downlink and/or uplink cell. The base stations communicate over the air interface
operating on radio frequencies with the user equipments within range of the base stations.
[0003] A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation mobile
communication system, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System
for Mobile Communications, (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network, (UTRAN),
is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High
Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for user equipments. In a forum known as the Third Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards
for third generation networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanced data
rate and radio capacity. In some versions of the RAN as e.g. in UMTS, several base
stations may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node,
such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC) which
supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural base stations connected
thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.
[0004] Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within 3GPP,
and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases. The EPS comprises the Evolved
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) also known as the Long Term Evolution,
LTE, radio access, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) also known as System Architecture
Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a variant of a 3GPP radio access technology
wherein the radio base station nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network
rather than to RNCs. In general, in E-UTRAN/LTE the functions of a RNC are distributed
between the radio base stations nodes, e.g. eNodeBs in LTE, and the core network.
As such, the RAN of an EPS has an essentially "flat" architecture comprising radio
base station nodes without reporting to RNCs.
Random access
[0005] In LTE, as in any communication system, a UE may need to contact or access the radio
communications network, i.e. via the base station, without having a dedicated resource
in the uplink or UL, i.e. from UE to base station. To handle this, a random access
procedure is available where a UE that does not have a dedicated UL resource may transmit
a signal to the base station. The first message of this procedure is typically transmitted
on a special resource reserved for random access, a physical random access channel.
This random access channel may for example be limited in time and/or frequency, e.g.
as in LTE.
Figure 1 is an illustration of an example of a random-access-preamble transmission. Uplink
resources used for data transmission are shown as well as uplink resource reserved
for random access preamble transmission. Such an uplink resource may comprise 6 resource
blocks (RBs) and is 1 ms long corresponding to one subframe. A frame in LTE is comprised
of 10 subframes.
[0006] US 2012/0026952 A1 discloses a mobile communication method including the steps of: (A) assigning a radio
resource for a PRACH in each cell within a mobile communication system in which cells
are synchronized; and (B) performing, at a mobile station (UE), a random access procedure
by transmitting an RA preamble via the PRACH using the radio resource assigned in
each cell, wherein in the step (A), as the radio resource for a PRACH, a resource
block in a different sub-frame is assigned between adjacent cells.
[0007] In LTE, the UE first detects a cell by using primary and secondary synchronization
signals. The UE blindly searches for a number of different sequences and the detected
sequences give a physical cell ID (PCI). After detecting the cell, the UE reads the
master information block (MIB) on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) occupying
a known resource. The MIB gives the UE information about the system frame number (SFN)
and how to detect further system information. More detailed system information is
then provided in a number of system information blocks (SIBs). The first SIB, denoted
SIB1, comprises the cell identity and scheduling information on how to decode the
following SIBs.
[0008] Information about the resources available for the physical random access channel
(PRACH) transmission is provided to the UEs as part of the broadcasted system information
in System Information Block 2 (SIB2) or as part of dedicated radio resource control
(RRC) signaling in case of e.g. a handover. The resources comprise a preamble sequence
and a time/frequency resource. In each cell, there are 64 preamble sequences available.
Two subsets of the 64 sequences are defined, where the set of sequences in each subset
is signaled as part of the system information. The time/frequency resources are also
associated to a temporary identifier denoted random access radio network temporary
identifier (RA-RNTI). The RA-RNTI is according to Eq. 1:

where
t_id is the index of the first subframe of the specified PRACH, 0≤ t_id <10; and
f_id is the index of the specified PRACH within that subframe, in ascending order
of frequency domain, 0≤ f_id< 6.
[0009] According to the 3GPP technical specifications 3GPP TS 36.211, the multiple random
access preambles are generated from one or several Zadoff-Chu sequences. The set of
64 preamble sequences in a cell is found by including the available cyclic shifts
from each Zadoff-Chu sequence and adding more Zadoff-Chu sequences as needed. The
number of cyclic shifts in a Zadoff-Chu sequence depends on N
cs given by the zero correlation zone configuration and whether unrestricted or restricted
sets of cyclic shifts are used. The sequences to use and the number of cyclic shifts
to use per sequence are signaled in the system information.
[0010] When performing a (contention-based) random-access attempt, the UE selects at random
one sequence in one of the subsets. As long as no other UE is performing a random-access
attempt using the same sequence at the same time instant, no collisions will occur
and the attempt will, with a high likelihood, be detected by the base station.
[0011] In LTE, the random access procedure may be used for a number of different reasons.
Among these reasons are: initial access, i.e. for UEs in the RRC_IDLE state; incoming
handover; resynchronization of the UL; scheduling request, i.e. for a UE that is not
allocated any other resource for contacting the base station; and positioning.
[0012] The contention-based random access procedure used in release 10 of LTE (LTE Rel-10)
is illustrated in
Figure 2 depicting signalling over the air interface between the UE and the LTE radio access
network node (RAN node) e.g. a eNB or eNodeB.
[0013] As previously described, the system information including sequences for random access
is signaled to the UE.
[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the UE starts the random access procedure by randomly selecting
one of the preambles available for contention-based random access.
[0015] The UE then transmits the selected random access preamble on the PRACH to the base
station or LTE RAN node.
[0016] The LTE RAN base station acknowledges any preamble it detects by transmitting a random
access response message (MSG2), including an initial grant to be used on the uplink
shared channel, a temporary cell-RNTI (TC-RNTI) and a time alignment (TA) update based
on the timing offset of the preamble measured by the base station (or LTE RAN node)
on the PRACH. The MSG2 is transmitted in the downlink (DL) to the UE using the physical
downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and its corresponding physical downlink control channel
(PDCCH) message that schedules the PDSCH comprises a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
which is scrambled with the RA-RNTI.
[0017] When receiving the response, the UE uses the grant to transmit a message (MSG3),
denoted scheduled transmission that in part is used to trigger the establishment of
radio resource control and in part to uniquely identify the UE on the common channels
of the cell. The timing alignment command provided in the random access response is
applied in the UL transmission in MSG3.
[0018] In addition, the eNB (or LTE RAN node) may also change the resources blocks that
are assigned for a MSG3 transmission by sending an UL grant that has its CRC scrambled
with the TC-RNTI which was included in MSG2. In this case the PDCCH is used to transmit
the downlink control information (DCI) comprising the uplink grant.
[0019] The MSG4 which is then contention resolving has its PDCCH CRC scrambled with the
C-RNTI if the UE previously has a C-RNTI assigned. If the UE does not have a C-RNTI
previously assigned the PDCCH CRC is scrambled with the TC-RNTI obtained from MSG2.
In the first case the UE included C-RNTI into MSG3 whereas in the latter case the
UE included a core network identifier.
[0020] The procedure ends with RAN solving any preamble contention that may have occurred
for the case that multiple UEs transmitted the same preamble at the same time. This
may occur since each UE randomly selects when to transmit and which preamble to use.
If multiple UEs select the same preamble for the transmission on RACH, there will
be contention between these UEs that needs to be resolved through the contention resolution
message, MSG4. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) messages
are also shown transmitted from the UE respectively the LTE RAN node. The case when
contention occurs is illustrated in Figure 3 below.
[0021] Figure 3 illustrates an example of contention-based random access, where there is contention
between two UEs, UE
1 and UE
2, i.e. where two UEs transmit the same preamble,
p5, at the same time. A third UE, UE
3, also transmits on the same RACH, but since it transmits with a different preamble,
p1, there is no contention between this UE and the other two UEs.
[0022] A UE may also perform non-contention-based random access. A non-contention-based
random access or contention-free random access may e.g. be initiated by the base station
or eNB, to get the UE to achieve synchronisation in UL. The base station initiates
a non-contention-based random access either by sending a PDCCH order or indicating
it in an RRC message. The later of the two is used in case of handover to another
cell. The eNB may also order the UE through a PDCCH message to perform a contention-based
random access.
[0023] The procedure for the UE to perform contention-free random access is illustrated
in Figure 4.
Figure 4 illustrates an example of signalling over the air interface for the contention-free
random access procedure in LTE.
[0024] Similar to the contention-based random access the MSG2 is transmitted in the DL to
the UE and its corresponding PDCCH message CRC is scrambled with the RA-RNTI. The
UE considers the contention resolution successfully completed after it has received
MSG2 successfully. The random access (RA) order is shown transmitted from the LTE
RAN node to the UE. The UE responds by transmitting a random access preamble to the
LTE RAN node.
[0025] For the contention-free random access as for the contention-based random access,
MSG2 comprises a timing alignment (TA) value. This enables the base station to set
the initial/updated timing according to the UEs transmitted preamble.
[0026] It should be mentioned that a UE monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).
In detail, a UE monitors a common search space and a UE specific search space in the
PDCCH. In each search space, a limited number of candidates or equivalently PDCCH
transmission hypothesis is checked, in every DL subframe. These are known as blind
decodes, and the UE checks whether any of the transmitted DCI messages is intended
for it. The UE monitors the following RNTI that are associated with the random access
and paging procedures for each associated search spaces on PDCCH:
- the RA-RNTI for MSG2 is monitored in the common search space.
- the TC-RNTI for MSG3 is monitored in the common search space, for reallocating the
MSG3 in frequency.
- the TC-RNTI for MSG4 is monitored in the common search and UE specific TC-RNTI search
space.
- the C-RNTI for MSG4 is monitored in the common search and UE specific C-RNTI search
space.
- The P-RNTI is monitored in the common search space.
Details on Preamble Format and detection
[0027] Figure 5 shows the detailed timing of the basic random-access preamble, Format 0. The preamble
is prefixed with a cyclic prefix (CP) to enable simple frequency domain processing.
Its length is in the order of
TGP +
TDS = 97.5 + 5 µs = 102.5 µs, where
TDS corresponds to the maximum delay spread and
TGP corresponds to the maximum round trip time. The CP insures that the received signal
is always circular after removing the CP in the random access receiver, and thus can
be processed by FFTs (Fast Fourier transform). Therefore, the "active" random-access
preamble duration is 1000 µs - 2·
TGP -
TDS = 800 µs. The RA subcarrier spacing is 1/800 µs = 1250 Hz.
[0028] Formats 1, 2, 3 in figure 5 show the extended preamble formats. Format 1 has an extended
CP and is suited for cell radii up to approximately 100 km. However, since no repetition
occurs this format is only suited for environments with good propagation conditions.
The approximate length of the CP and the preamble are indicated. Format 2 comprises
a repeated main preamble and a CP of approximately 200 µs. With a random access opportunity
length of 2 ms the remaining guard period is also approximately 200 µs. This format
supports cell radii of up to approximately 30 km. Format 3 also comprise a repeated
main preamble and an extended CP. Using a RA opportunity length of 3 ms this format
supports cell radii of up to approximately 100 km. The approximate length of the CP
and the repeated preamble are indicated. In opposite to format 1 format 3 comprises
a repeated preamble as shown and Format 3 is therefore better suited for environments
with bad propagation conditions.
[0029] The requirements on the sequence comprising the preamble are two-fold: good auto-correlation
function (ACF) properties and good cross-correlation function (CCF) properties. A
sequence that has ideal, i.e. periodic ACF and CCF properties is called the Zadoff-Chu
sequence. The periodic ACF of Zadoff-Chu sequence is only non-zero at time-lag zero,
and periodic extensions, and the magnitude of the CCF is equal to the square-root
of the sequence length, denoted here
N. Due to special properties of Zadoff-Chu sequences, the number of sequences is maximized
if
N is chosen prime. This together with the requirement that the effective RA bandwidth
N·1250 Hz should fit into 1.05 MHz leads to
N = 839.
[0030] A Zadoff-Chu sequence of length
N may be expressed, in the frequency domain, as Eq. 2:

where
u is the index of the Zadoff-Chu sequence within the set of Zadoff-Chu sequences of
length
N.
[0031] Out of one Zadoff-Chu sequence - in the following also denoted root sequence - multiple
preamble sequences can be derived by cyclic shifting. Due to the ideal ACF of Zadoff-Chu
sequence multiple mutually orthogonal sequences may be derived from a single root
sequence by cyclic shifting one root sequence multiple times the maximum allowed round
trip time plus delay spread in time-domain. The correlation of such a cyclic shifted
sequence and the underlying root sequence has its peak no longer at zero but at the
cyclic shift. If the received signal has now a valid round trip delay - i.e. not larger
than the maximum assumed round trip time - the correlation peak occurs at the cyclic
shift plus the round trip delay which is still in the correct correlation zone. This
may be seen in Figure 6.
[0032] Figure 6 shows an example of a transmitted preamble that has a cyclic shift of 2T
CS. As long as the round trip time is smaller than T
CS the correlation peak occurs in the correct zone. For small cells up to 1.5 km radii
all 64 preambles can be derived from a single root sequence and are therefore orthogonal
to each other. In larger cells not all preambles can be derived from a single root
sequence and multiple root sequences must be allocated to a cell. Preambles derived
from different root sequences are not orthogonal to each other. Figure 6 also indicates
location of the UE relative the eNB or Node B e.g. UE being close to Node B and UE
located almost at cell border. The zones indicating transmitted sequences are enumerated
0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Figure 6. As shown, in case the UE is close to the Node B,
the time delay indicating round trip delay is small. But in case the UE is located
almost at cell border, the time delay is large.
[0033] One disadvantage of Zadoff-Chu sequences is their behaviour at high frequency offsets.
A frequency-offset creates an additional correlation peak in time-domain. A frequency
offset has to be considered high if it becomes substantial relative to the random
RA sub-carrier spacing of 1250 Hz, e.g. from 400 Hz upwards. The offset of the second
correlation peak relative to the main peak depends on the root sequence. An offset
smaller than
TCS may lead to wrong timing estimates, whereas values larger than
TCS may increase the false alarm rate. In order to cope with this problem, LTE has a
high-speed mode, or better high frequency offset mode, which disables certain cyclic
shift values and root sequences so that transmitted preamble and round trip time may
uniquely be identified. Additionally a special receiver combining both correlation
peaks is required. For cells larger than approximately 35 km no set of 64 preambles
exists that allows unique identification of transmitted preamble and estimation of
propagation delay, i.e. cells larger than 35 km cannot be supported in high speed
mode.
[0034] The random access preamble sequences are ordered according to a specified table.
The table is designed by first separating all PRACH sequences into two groups based
on the quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) cubic metric (CM) value using a fixed
1.2 dB threshold. The sequences with low CM are more suitable to assign to large cells
than the sequences with high CM. Within each CM-group, high and low, the sequences
are further grouped according to the maximum allowed cyclic shift, S
max, at high speed.
[0035] There are however a limited number of possible preamble sequences, and different
sequences have better or worse properties in terms of coverage. For example, the sequences
with good coverage properties are limited. Due to the limitation of sequences, there
is a need to reuse the preambles between cells. The network node receivers in two
cells where UEs are using the same Zadoff-Chu sequences will detect preambles transmitted
in the other cell if they are received with sufficient strength/power and if the same
time/frequency resources are configured for PRACH. This problem may be referred to
as "overhearing". Overhearing has negative impact on system performance and user experience.
SUMMARY
[0036] It is an object of embodiments herein to improve PRACH preamble transmission when
using repeated PRACH occasions to enhance radio coverage of the PRACH in a radio communications
network and to avoid preamble collisions
[0037] According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by providing
a method performed by a user equipment for performing preamble transmissions, on a
random access channel, to a network node, the method comprising: determining a starting
subframe for the preamble transmission(s) based on at least: a system frame number
(SFN) received from the network node; a number of times (R) the preamble transmission
is to be repeated; and a random access channel configuration and transmitting to the
network node the preamble repeatedly starting in the determined starting subframe.
[0038] According to another aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by providing
a user equipment for performing preamble transmission, on a random access channel,
to a network node, the user equipment being configured to: determine a starting subframe
for the preamble transmission(s) based on at least a SFN received from the network
node; a number of times the preamble transmission is to be repeated and a random access
channel configuration, and the user equipment is further configured to transmit, to
the network node, the preamble repeatedly starting in the determined starting subframe
[0039] According to another aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by providing
a method performed by a network node for receiving preamble transmission(s) from a
user equipment on a random access channel, the method comprising: transmitting a SFN
to the user equipment; transmitting a random access channel configuration to the user
equipment and receiving the preamble transmission repeatedly starting in a starting
subframe wherein the starting subframe is determined by the user equipment and the
network node based on at least the SFN, the random access channel configuration, and
a number of times the preamble transmission is to be repeated.
[0040] According to another aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by means
of a network node for receiving preamble transmission(s) from a user equipment on
a random access channel, the network node being configured to: transmit a SFN to the
user equipment. The network node is further configured to transmit a random access
channel configuration to the user equipment and to receive the preamble transmission
repeatedly starting in a starting subframe wherein the starting subframe is determined
by the user equipment and the network node based on at least the SFN, the random access
channel configuration, and a number of times the preamble transmission is to be repeated.
[0041] An advantage achieved by embodiments herein is to avoid preamble collisions since
a defined starting point for each repeated PRACH preamble transmission is determined.
Both the user equipment and the network determine the starting point and hence know
when a repeated preamble transmission by the user equipment is to occur.
[0042] Another advantage achieved by embodiments herein is that system performance and user
experience are improved since overhearing of repeated PRACH preamble transmissions
in other (neighbouring) cells is reduced.
[0043] Yet another advantage achieved is that by introducing means to determine the start
subframe, and implicitly the end subframe, of the repeated PRACH transmission of the
user equipment, the network node complexity and PRACH false alarm probability may
be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings.
The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details
which are essential for the understanding of the embodiments presented herein, while
other details have been left out. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals
are used for identical or corresponding parts.
Figure 1 shows a simplified example of a random-access-preamble transmission.
Figure 2 illustrates signalling messages over the air interface for contention-based
random access procedure in LTE.
Figure 3 illustrates a network scenario wherein contention between two UEs occurs
during a contention-based random access.
Figure 4 illustrates an example of signalling messages over the air interface for
contention-free random access procedure in LTE.
Figure 5 show random access preambles for different formats 0-3 as defined by 3GPP.
Figure 6 shows graphs depicting correlation vs time when a UE, based on its location
in a cell, transmits preamble(s) or sequences.
Figure 7 depicts a radio communications network in which embodiments herein may be
implemented.
Figure 8 shows a method performed by a UE for preamble transmissions to a network
node in accordance with embodiments herein.
Figure 9 shows a method performed by a UE for enabling preamble transmissions from
a UE in accordance with exemplary embodiments herein.
Figure 10 shows a method performed by a network node for receiving preamble transmission
from a UE in accordance with embodiments herein.
Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment
herein.
Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a network node according to an exemplary
embodiment herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Figure 7 depicts a
radio communications network 100 in which embodiments herein may be implemented. In some embodiments, the radio communications
network 100 may be a wireless communications network such as a LTE, LTE-Advanced,
WCDMA, Global System for Mobile communications/Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution
(GSM/EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile
Broadband (UMB) or GSM, or any other similar cellular network or system. The radio
communication network 100 is exemplified herein as an LTE network.
[0046] The radio communications network 100 comprises a
network node 110. The network node 110 serves at least one
cell 115. The network node 110 may e.g. be a base station, a radio base station, eNB, eNodeB,
a Home Node B, a Home eNode B, femto Base Station (BS), pico BS or any other network
unit capable of communicating with a user equipment within the cell served by the
network node depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used. The
network node 110 may also be e.g. a base station controller, a network controller,
a relay node, a repeater, an access point, a radio access point, a Remote Radio Unit
(RRU) or a Remote Radio Head (RRH).
[0047] A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by radio base station
equipment at a base station site or at remote locations in Remote Radio Units (RRU).
The cell definition may also incorporate frequency bands and radio access technology
used for transmissions, which means that two different cells may cover the same geographical
area but using different frequency bands. Each cell is identified by an identity within
the local radio area, which is broadcast in the cell. Another identity identifying
the cell 115 uniquely in the whole radio communication network 100 is also broadcasted
in the cell 115. The network node 110 communicates over the air or radio interface
operating on radio frequencies with the UEs within range of the network node 110.
[0048] In Figure 7, a
user equipment 121 is shown located within the cell 115. The UE 121 is configured to communicate within
the radio communications network 100 via the network node 110 over a radio link 131
when present in the cell 115 served by the network node 110. The UE 121 may e.g. be
any kind of wireless device such as a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a tablet, a sensor equipped with a UE, Laptop Mounted
Equipment (LME) (e.g. USB), Laptop Embedded Equipment (LEE), Machine Type Communication
(MTC) device, or Machine to Machine (M2M) device, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE),
etc.
[0049] As previously described, when a UE needs to contact the network without having a
dedicated resource in the UL a random access procedure is available as a means to
request UL grant. The UE performs preamble or sequence transmissions, on a physical
PRACH for that purpose.
[0050] In order to reduce cost and enhanced coverage for certain UEs or terminals in LTE,
i.e. MTC devices, it has been concluded that the PRACH channel coverage needs to be
enhanced. The enhancement will at least partially be realized with repetition. It
has been agreed to reuse the existing formats and configurations described previously
and in the specification 3GPP TS 36.211, but with repetition over multiple time occasions.
The repeated resource may either use the same resource configuration as legacy UEs,
with a separation in the preamble sequences used, or there may also be additional
resources configured for repetition. A number of different repetition levels may be
supported. The repetition level to use in what condition is not fully settled. The
configuration of RACH resources may be done using one of the existing system information
blocks (SIBs), e.g. SIB2 or in a new SIB.
[0051] A network node, e.g. eNB or base station, may combine the transmissions in multiple
PRACH occasions to accumulate energy and improve detection of the transmission.
[0052] As discussed in the background section above, there are a limited number of possible
preamble sequences, and different sequences have better or worse properties in terms
of coverage. Especially the sequences with good coverage properties are limited. Due
to the limitation of sequences, there is a need to reuse the preambles between cells.
The eNB receivers in two cells where UEs are using the same Zadoff-Chu sequences will
detect preambles transmitted in the other cell if they are received with sufficient
strength and if the same time/frequency resources are configured for PRACH causing
"overhearing".
[0053] It should be noted that problems with "overhearing" is not significant for normal
preamble transmissions, i.e. for legacy or normal UEs, since there are quite many
possible root sequences for a UE to select from and therefore "overhearing" may be
avoided by proper preamble allocation reuse planning. Moreover, power control is applied
and the probability of a preamble being detected in a different cell than the target
cell, but configured with the same set of random access preambles, is low. However,
for enhanced coverage with repetition as described above, the power control may become
very crude and less accurate.
[0054] As part of the developing of the embodiments described herein, it has been noted
that the detection of repeated preamble transmission with low network complexity and
low false alarm probability may be facilitated if the UE and the network node apply
the same start subframe, and thus end subframe, for the repeated preambles. However,
currently there are no means for the UE and network node to determine the start subframe,
and thus end subframe.
[0055] In short, the embodiments described hereinafter address these issues by defining
a starting point for each repeated PRACH preamble transmission which is known to both
UE and network node. In some embodiments, the starting point may be defined as a function
of the system frame number, the preamble repetition level and the PRACH resource configuration.
This means that separate starting subframes may be applied in the corresponding cells
to expand the domain of reuse between cells employing PRACH repetition over multiple
PRACH occasions.
[0056] In some embodiments, the starting frame offset may be configured by signaling. One
example of the signaling is dedicated signaling, so that individual UEs in the cell
may be configured with a starting subframe depending on which other cell it is interfering
the most with. According to another example, the configuration may be broadcasted
by the network node. In some embodiments, the control signaling may be implicit, and
be derived by the UE from already existing signaling, e.g. by using the cell-ID. The
amount of energy received from neighbor cells using the same root sequence may then
be reduced.
[0057] Before describing different exemplary embodiments, the main steps performed by a
UE 121 for performing preamble transmission(s), on a random access channel (PRACH),
to a network node 110 are presented in relation to
Figure 8.
[0058] In action 801, the method comprises, determining a starting subframe for the preamble
transmission(s) based on at least: a system frame number (SFN) received from the network
node 110; a number of times (R) the preamble transmission(s) is to be repeated; and
a random access channel configuration.
[0059] In action 802, the method further comprises, transmitting, to the network node 110,
the preamble repeatedly starting in the determined starting subframe.
[0060] The determined starting subframe may therefore be viewed as a function of the SFN;
the preamble repetition level i.e. the number of times R, and the PRACH resource configuration.
According to an embodiment, the determined starting subframe is further determined
based on a first offset being dependent on the PRACH configuration. The preamble repetition
level may also be denoted a bundle size (in number of repeated PRACH occasions).
[0061] It should be noted that a PRACH occasion may span more than one subframe and that
the starting subframe referred to herein targets or refers to the subframe where the
PRACH occasions starts.
[0062] In some embodiments, the SFN is given by the master information block (MIB) transmitted
on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) by the network node 110 and the time periodicity
of PRACH occasion is given by the PRACH configuration in a SIB e.g. in SIB2 or in
a new dedicated SIB.
[0063] A PRACH occasion is the occasion to transmit one PRACH format, i.e. format 0, 1,
2, 3 or 4. It should be mentioned that a number of PRACH configurations are available
in the specification 3GPP TS 36.211 with different PRACH occasion frequencies. For
example, according to the current specification, the PRACH resources may be configured
with a frequency ranging from every millisecond (ms), i.e. each subframe, down to
once per 20 ms, i.e. once every other radio frame.
[0064] If
N represents the average number of subframes comprising at least one PRACH resource
in a 10-ms period and
ni (e.g.
N may in current specification take values between 0.5 and 10 dependent on configurations;
i =
0,..., NSFN-1) the occasion in the SFN, R the repetition level or bundle size, the starting occasion
or subframe may, for example, be given by any
SFN and
i fulfilling:

mod being a modulo operation;
T is here a first offset dependent on the PRACH configuration, where for example
T = 1 if PRACH only is available in odd subframes, else
T=
0. This means that the start subframe is
SFN+
i, e.g. all
SFN and
i fulfilling the equation are possible starting subframes.
[0065] For example, when having 2 PRACH occasions in a radio frame, e.g. in subframe #1
and subframe #6, and a PRACH bundling of 3, this may result in a starting in subframe
#1 in even SFNs and subframe #6 in odd SFNs, e.g. subframe #1, #16, #31, etc.
[0066] In Equation 3,
i is a subframe or starting occasion, comprising radio resources configured for the
random access channel in frame SFN, wherein i=0,...,
NSFN-1;
As mentioned above,
T is the first offset and is dependent on the random access channel configuration and
takes value
T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise
T=
0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with
SFN; and
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and
NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
or provided by the network node to the UE in the random access channel configuration.
[0067] According to an embodiment, the starting subframe may be determined based on a second
offset being a cell identifier such as a physical cell identity (PCI), received by
the UE during synchronization with the network node, or the second offset is a cell
identity received in a SIB or determined by the UE based on a physical-layer cell
identity. For example, the starting subframe of a repeated bundled PRACH transmission
may be offset by a cell specific value K which is here the second offset. For example,
it could be based on, or associated to, the PCI signalled by the synchronization signals
from the network node upon synchronization with the cell.
[0068] For example, in E-UTRAN, there are 504 unique physical-layer cell identities. The
physical-layer cell identities are grouped into 168 unique physical-layer cell-identity
groups, each group containing three unique identities. The grouping is such that each
physical-layer cell identity is part of one and only one physical-layer cell-identity
group. A physical-layer cell identity

is thus uniquely defined by a number

in the range of 0 to 167, representing the physical-layer cell-identity group, and
a number

in the range of 0 to 2, representing the physical-layer identity within the physical-layer
cell-identity group.
[0069] Hence, K may be determined by the UE 121 based on either

or

[0070] As mentioned above, the second offset K may be received in SIB or determined by the
UE based on the physical-layer cell identity. For example K could be related to the
cell identity signaled in SIB1, for example the 28 bit cell identifier in SIB1 or
parts of the same. The UE 121 may derive K from the first 20 bits identifying the
network node 110 or the last 8 bits identifying the cell served by the network node
110.
[0071] In some embodiments, K may also be a new parameter value signalled for this purpose
(dedicated). This may, for example, be performed in SIB2 or in a new dedicated SIB.
[0072] When both the first offset value
T and second offset value
K are used, a starting subframe or starting occasion is determined for a frame with
SFN as any subframe
i fulfilling:

[0073] Similarly to Equation 3,
i in Equation 4 represents a subframe or starting occasion comprising radio resources
configured for the random access channel in a frame SFN, wherein
i=
0,..., NSFN-1;
T is the first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value
T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise
T=
0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with
SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
[0074] According to another embodiment, the starting subframe may be determined based on
a preamble sequence dependent offset. For example, the starting subframe of a bundled
PRACH transmission may be offset by a PRACH sequence specific value in order to further
reduce the potential overhearing between different PRACH sequences within the same
cell. For example, the offset value is based on a function of the index of the random
access sequence (PRACH sequence). This would also help in reducing PRACH latency.
According to an embodiment, the preamble sequence dependent offset may also be a function
of the number of times the preamble transmission is to be repeated (R) i.e. the preamble
repetition level in order to evenly distribute starting subframes or starting occasions.
[0075] After determining the starting subframe, the UE 121 is configured to transmit a preamble
repeatedly starting in the determined starting subframe.
[0076] Referring to
Figure 9, there is illustrated a flowchart depicting exemplary embodiments of a procedure performed
by a UE.
[0077] As shown, in action 900a, a UE initiates a random access procedure. As previously
described, upon initiating the random access procedure, the UE randomly selects one
of the available preambles for contention-based random access.
[0078] In action 901 and in accordance with the previously described embodiments, the UE
determines when to transmit the selected preamble, i.e. the UE determines a starting
subframe for the preamble transmission(s). For this purpose and as shown in action
901a, the UE determines a SFN and PRACH configuration(s);
In action 901b, the UE determines which PRACH repetition factor R to use and in action
901c, the UE determines a next valid PRACH start occasion.
[0079] In action 902a, the UE initiate PRACH transmission in next valid subframe i.e. transmits
the preamble repeatedly starting in the determined starting subframe.
[0080] In case of time division duplex (TDD), certain configurations enable more than one
PRACH opportunity per subframe, but in different frequency bands. Thereby, for TDD,
the starting position not only relates to a starting point in time, but possibly also
in frequency. With the possibility to consider opportunities in time and frequency
domain in combination, it is possible to define opportunity patterns. Such a pattern
could be cyclic over the frequency domain random access opportunities, and be defined
by a starting point in time and in frequency.
[0081] Below is illustrated a plausible time-frequency pattern with three different possible
starting points in the frequency domain, 1, 2 and 3. In the example, the time frequency
opportunity pattern is defined by a starting point in time and in frequency.
[0082] It should be mentioned that in traditional random access in LTE, the UE obtains a
temporary identifier RA-RNTI that is associated to the selected random access opportunity.
With repetitive random access preambles, there may be different options how to select
the RA-RNTI. In current LTE, it is selected as:

where t_id is the index of the first subframe of the specified PRACH (0≤ t_id <10),
and f_id is the index of the specified PRACH within that subframe, in ascending order
of frequency domain (0≤ f_id< 6).
[0083] However, given the long foreseen repetitions, it may be more attractive to instead
consider the index of the last subframe.
[0084] As previously described, the UE may receive one or two offset values from the network
node through configuration enabling the UE to determine the starting subframe.
[0085] The network node may configure the offset value(s) for a current cell of the UE to
be used in determining a starting subframe for the preamble transmissions of the UE.
[0086] The network node may aggregate statistics over random access (RA) performance, i.e.
monitoring the RA. This means that the network node may obtain certain performance
indicators. One example of such a performance indicator is the number of received
preambles over a time window. This may be aggregated by the network node in e.g. a
counter. Another example of such a performance indicator is the number of required
preamble repetitions before the preamble was detected. This may be aggregated by the
network node in e.g. a histogram counter. The histogram counter may comprise multiple
counters, one for each bin of data, for example, four counters corresponding to 0,1,2,3
repetitions. A further example of such a performance indicator is the number of overheard
preambles over a time window. Here, the network node may assume that all received
preambles that have not lead to completed RA are due to overhearing.
[0087] The statistics may be aggregated over determined time periods in the network node
and may be reported regularly by the network node to a network management node. This
may also be reported by the network node on demand, or when a pre-configured or configurable
criterion is met in the network node. The latter may also be considered or referred
to as an alarm. One example of such a configurable criterion is when the number of
overheard preambles over a time period exceeds a determined threshold.
[0088] As previously described in order to facilitate network node complexity and avoid
preamble collisions a defined starting subframe for each repeated PRACH preamble transmission
needs to be defined and known not only to the UE but also to the network node or eNB.
[0089] Figure 10 illustrates a method performed by the network node 110 for receiving preamble transmissions
from the UE 121 on the PRACH.
[0090] As shown, the main steps performed by the network node 110 comprise:
In action 1001, transmitting a SFN and a random access channel configuration to the
UE 121; and
In action 1002, receiving the preamble transmission repeatedly starting in a starting
subframe wherein the starting subframe is determined by the UE 121 and the network
node 110 based on at least on the SFN, the random access channel configuration and
a number of times (R) the preamble transmission is to be repeated.
[0091] Similarly to the actions performed by the UE 121, the network node 110 determines
the starting subframe based on a first offset
T being dependent on the random access channel configuration. As previously described,
the starting subframe is determined for a frame with SFN as any subframe
i fulfilling Equation 3 presented before which is repeated here.
wherein,
i is a subframe comprising radio resources configured for the random access channel
in frame SFN, wherein i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T is the first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise T=0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
node to the UE; and
mod is the modulo operation.
[0092] According to an embodiment, the network node may determine the starting subframe
based on a second offset K being a cell identifier such as, a physical cell identity,
PCI, transmitted to the UE during synchronization with the UE or the second offset
is a cell identity transmitted in a system information block to the UE.
[0093] The starting subframe may further be determined based on a preamble sequence dependent
offset; wherein the preamble sequence dependent offset is a function of a number of
available preambles for the number of times the preamble transmission is to be repeated,
or the preamble sequence dependent offset is a function of a physical random access
channel sequence index.
[0094] When both the first offset value
T and the second offset value
K are used, the network node determines the starting subframe for a frame with SFN
as any subframe
i fulfilling Equation 4 presented before which is repeated below:
wherein,
i is a subframe comprising radio resources configured for the random access channel
in a frame SFN, wherein i=0,..., NSFN-1;
T is a first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise T=0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
node to the UE;
K is the second offset,
[0095] Several advantages are achieved by embodiments described herein. An advantage is
to avoid preamble collisions since a defined starting point for each repeated PRACH
preamble transmission is determined. Both the UE and the network determine the starting
point and hence know when a repeated preamble transmission by the user equipment is
to occur.
[0096] Another advantage achieved by embodiments herein is that system performance and user
experience are improved since overhearing of repeated PRACH preamble transmissions
in other (neighbouring) cells is reduced.
[0097] Yet another advantage achieved is that by introducing means to determine the starting
subframe, and implicitly the ending subframe, of the repeated PRACH transmission of
the UE, the network node complexity and PRACH false alarm probability may be reduced.
[0098] To perform the method actions described earlier, a UE 121 and a network node 110
are provided in accordance with Figures 11-12.
[0099] Figures 11-12 are schematic block diagrams of embodiments of the UE 121 and the network node 110.
The UE 121 is configured to perform the methods related to the UE according to embodiments
described before. The network node 110 is also configured to perform the methods related
to network node according to embodiments described above.
[0100] The embodiments for performing preamble transmissions on a random access channel
to a network node 110 in a radio communication network 100, wherein the preamble transmission
is repeated one or more times in radio resources configured for the random access
channel, may be implemented through
one or more processors 1110 in the UE 121 depicted in Fig. 11, together with computer program code for performing
the functions and/or method actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned
above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form
of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing embodiments herein
when being loaded into the UE 121. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM
disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The
computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server
and downloaded to the UE121.
[0101] The UE 121 further comprises a transmitter TX and a receiver RX, or a
transceiver 1120, over which the UE 121 may transmit/receive transmissions and information from the
network node 110. The UE 121 further comprises
a memory 1130. The memory 1130 may, for example, be used to store information, either configured
in the UE 121 and/or received from the network node 110, to perform the methods described
herein, etc.
[0102] The embodiments for enabling preamble reception on a random access channel from a
UE 121 in a radio communication network 100, wherein the reception of the preamble
transmission is repeated one or more times in radio resources configured for the random
access channel, may be implemented through
one or more processors 1210 in the network node 110 depicted in Fig. 12, together with computer program code
for performing the functions and/or method actions of the embodiments herein. The
program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for
instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing
embodiments herein when being loaded into the network node 110. One such carrier may
be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such
as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program
code on a server and downloaded to the network node 110.
[0103] The network node 110 comprises a transmitter TX and a receiver RX, or a
transceiver 1220, over which the network node 110 may transmit/receive transmissions and information
from the UE 121. The network node 110 further comprises
a memory 1230. The memory 1130 may, for example, be used to store offset values and other information
for performing the methods described herein, etc. The network node 110 may also comprise
an input/output interface 1240, which may be used to communicate with other radio network entities or network nodes
in a core network.
[0104] As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, that
functions from other circuits may be implemented using digital logic and/or one or
more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments,
several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a
single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate
devices with appropriate hardware and/or software interfaces between them. Several
of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components
of a wireless terminal or network node, for example.
[0105] Alternatively, several of the functional elements of processing circuits discussed
may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with
hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware.
Thus, the term "processor" or "controller" as used herein does not exclusively refer
to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation,
digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software,
random-access memory for storing software and/or program or application data, and
non-volatile memory. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
Designers of communications receivers will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance
trade-offs inherent in these design choices. The different actions taken by the different
nodes may be implemented with different circuits.
[0106] It should be noted that although terminology from 3GPP LTE has been used herein in
order to exemplify some of the embodiments, this should not be seen as limiting to
only the aforementioned system. As previously mentioned, other wireless systems, including
WCDMA, WiMax, UMB and GSM, may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered by the
embodiments described herein.
[0107] Also note that terminology such as eNodeB and UE should be considered nonlimiting
and does in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two;
in general "eNodeB" could be considered as first device or node and "UE" as a second
device or node, and these two devices or nodes communicate with each other over some
radio channel.
[0108] As used herein, the term "and/or" comprises any and all combinations of one or more
of the associated listed items.
[0109] Further, as used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin
phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or
examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such
item. If used herein, the common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin
phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.
The common abbreviation "etc.", which derives from the Latin expression "et cetera"
meaning "and other things" or "and so on" may have been used herein to indicate that
further features, similar to the ones that have just been enumerated, exist.
[0110] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to comprise also
the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "includes," "comprises," "including" and/or "comprising," when used
in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, actions, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0111] Unless otherwise defined, all terms comprising technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art to which the described embodiments belongs. It will be further understood that
terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted
as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant
art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0112] The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments.
Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above
embodiments should not be construed as limiting.
1. A method performed by a user equipment, UE (121), for performing preamble transmissions,
on a random access channel, to a network node (110), the method comprising:
determining (801) a starting subframe for the preamble transmission(s) based on at
least:
- a system frame number, SFN, received from the network node (110);
- a number of times, R, the preamble transmission is to be repeated;
- a random access channel configuration; and
transmitting (802), to the network node (110), the preamble repeatedly starting in
the determined starting subframe.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein determining (801) the starting subframe based
on the random access channel configuration comprises determining the starting subframe
based on a first offset being dependent on the random access channel configuration.
3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein determining (801) further comprises
determining the starting subframe based on a second offset being a cell identifier
such as, a physical cell identity, PCI, received during synchronization with the network
node (110), or the second offset is a cell identity received in a system information
block from the network node (110), or the second offset is determined by the UE (121)
based on a physical-layer cell identity.
4. The method according to anyone of claims 1-3 wherein determining (801) further comprises
determining the starting subframe based on a preamble sequence dependent offset; wherein
the preamble sequence dependent offset is a function of a number of available preambles
for the number of times the preamble transmission is to be repeated, or the preamble
sequence dependent offset is a function of a physical random access channel sequence
index.
5. The method according to claim 2 comprising determining the starting subframe for a
frame with SFN as any subframe
i fulfilling:
wherein,
i is a subframe comprising radio resources configured for the random access channel
in frame SFN, wherein i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T is the first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise T=0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
node; and
mod is a modulo operation.
6. The method according to claim 3 comprising determining the starting subframe for a
frame with SFN as any subframe
i fulfilling:
wherein,
i is a subframe comprising radio resources configured for the random access channel
in a frame SFN, wherein i=0,..., NSFN-1;
T is a first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise T=0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
node;
K s the second offset, and
mod is a modulo operation.
7. A user equipment, UE (121) for performing preamble transmissions, on a random access
channel, to a network node (110), the user equipment (121) being configured to:
determine a starting subframe for the preamble transmission(s) based on at least:
- a system frame number, SFN, received from the network node (110);
- a number of times, R, the preamble transmission is to be repeated;
- a random access channel configuration; and
transmit, to the network node (110), the preamble repeatedly starting in the determined
starting subframe.
8. A method performed by a network node (110) for receiving preamble transmission(s)
from a user equipment, UE (121), on a random access channel, the method comprising:
transmitting a system frame number, SFN, to the UE (121) and a random access channel
configuration to the UE (121); and
receiving the preamble transmission repeatedly starting in a starting subframe wherein
the starting subframe is determined by the UE (121) and the network node (110) based
on at least the SFN, the random access channel configuration, and a number of times,
R, the preamble transmission is to be repeated.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the starting subframe is determined based
on a first offset being dependent on the random access channel configuration.
10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the starting subframe is determined
based on a second offset being a cell identifier such as, a physical cell identity,
PCI, transmitted to the UE (121) during synchronization with the UE (121), or the
second offset is a cell identity transmitted in a system information block to the
UE (121).
11. The method according to anyone of claims 8-10 wherein the starting subframe is determined
based on a preamble sequence dependent offset; wherein the preamble sequence dependent
offset is a function of a number of available preambles for the number of times the
preamble transmission is to be repeated, or the preamble sequence dependent offset
is a function of a physical random access channel sequence index.
12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the starting subframe is determined for a
frame with SFN as any subframe
i fulfilling:
wherein,
i is a subframe comprising radio resources configured for the random access channel
in frame SFN, wherein i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T is the first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise T=0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
node to the UE; and
mod is a modulo operation.
13. The method according to claim 10 wherein the starting subframe is determined for a
frame with SFN as any subframe
i fulfilling:
wherein,
i is a subframe comprising radio resources configured for the random access channel
in a frame SFN, wherein i=0,..., NSFN-1;
T is a first offset dependent on the random access channel configuration and takes
value T=1 if radio resources configured for the random access channel are available in only
odd-number subframes, otherwise T=0;
NSFN is the number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel resource
in frame with SFN;
N is the average number of subframes comprising at least one random access channel
resource;
T, N and NSFN being derived from the random access channel configuration provided by the network
node to the UE;
K is the second offset, and
mod is a modulo operation.
14. A network node (110) for receiving preamble transmission(s) from a user equipment,
UE (121), on a random access channel, the network node (110) being configured to:
transmit a system frame number, SFN, to the UE (121) and a random access channel configuration
to the UE (121),
receive the preamble transmission repeatedly starting in a starting subframe wherein
the starting subframe is determined by the UE (121) and the network based on the SFN,
the random access channel configuration, and a number of times, R, the preamble transmission
is to be repeated.
15. A computer program product comprising program code portions for performing the steps
of any claims 1-6 and 8-13 when the computer program product is executed by one or
more processors.
1. Verfahren, durchgeführt von einem Benutzerendgerät, UE (121), zum Durchführen von
Präambel-Übermittlungen, auf einem Direktzugriffskanal, zu einem Netzwerkknoten (110),
wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
Bestimmen (801) eines Start-Unterrahmens für die Präambel-Übermittlung(en),
basierend zumindest auf:
- einer Systemrahmennummer, SFN, empfangen von dem Netzwerkknoten (110);
- einer Anzahl von Malen, R, die die Präambel-Übermittlung zu wiederholen ist;
- einer Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration; und
Übermitteln (802), zu dem Netzwerkknoten (110), der Präambel, wiederholt und beginnend
in dem bestimmten Start-Unterrahmen.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 wobei Bestimmen (801) des Start-Unterrahmens basierend auf
der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration umfasst Bestimmen des Start-Unterrahmens basierend
auf einem ersten Versatz, welcher von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration abhängig
ist.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2 wobei Bestimmen (801) ferner umfasst Bestimmen des
Start-Unterrahmens basierend auf einem zweiten Versatz, welcher ein Zellenidentifizierer
ist, wie beispielsweise eine physische Zellenidentität, PCI, empfangen während einer
Synchronisation mit dem Netzwerkknoten (110), oder der zweite Versatz ist eine Zellenidentität
empfangen in einem Systeminformationsblock von dem Netzwerkknoten (110), oder der
zweite Versatz wird durch das UE (121) basierend auf einer Bitübertragungsschicht-Zellenidentität
bestimmt.
4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei Bestimmen (801) ferner umfasst Bestimmen
des Start-Unterrahmens basierend auf einem Präambel-Sequenz-abhängigen Versatz; wobei
der Präambel-Sequenz-abhängige Versatz eine Funktion einer Anzahl von verfügbaren
Präambeln für die Anzahl von Malen ist, die die Präambel-Übermittlung zu wiederholen
ist, oder der Präambel-Sequenz-abhängige Versatz ist eine Funktion eines Physischer-Direktzugriffskanal-Sequenz-Index.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2 umfassend Bestimmen des Start-Unterrahmens für einen Rahmen
mit SFN als jeder Unterrahmen
i, welcher erfüllt:

wobei
i ein Unterrahmen ist, umfassend für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen
in Rahmen SFN, wobei i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T der erste Versatz ist, welcher abhängig von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration
ist und einen Wert von T=1 annimmt falls für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen in lediglich
ungerade nummerierten Unterrahmen verfügbar sind, ansonsten T=0;
NSFN die Anzahl von Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
im Rahmen mit SFN umfassen;
N die durchschnittliche Anzahl an Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
umfassen;
T, N und NSFN von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration erlangt werden, welche von dem Netzwerkknoten
bereitgestellt wird; und
mod eine Modulo-Operation ist.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3 umfassend Bestimmen des Start-Unterrahmens für einen Rahmen
mit SFN als jeder Unterrahmen
i, welcher erfüllt:

wobei
i ein Unterrahmen ist, umfassend für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen
in einem Rahmen SFN, wobei i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T ein erster Versatz ist, welcher abhängig von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration
ist und einen Wert von T=1 annimmt falls für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen in lediglich
ungerade nummerierten Unterrahmen verfügbar sind, ansonsten T=0;
NSFN die Anzahl von Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
im Rahmen mit SFN umfassen;
N die durchschnittliche Anzahl an Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
umfassen;
T, N und NSFN von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration erlangt werden, welche von dem Netzwerkknoten
bereitgestellt wird;
K der zweite Versatz ist; und
mod eine Modulo-Operation ist.
7. Benutzerendgerät, UE (121) zum Durchführen von Präambel-Übermittlungen, auf einem
Direktzugriffskanal, zu einem Netzwerkknoten (110), Benutzerendgerät eingerichtet
ist zum:
Bestimmen (801) eines Start-Unterrahmens für die Präambel-Übermittlung(en),
basierend zumindest auf:
- einer Systemrahmennummer, SFN, empfangen von dem Netzwerkknoten (110);
- einer Anzahl von Malen, R, die die Präambel-Übermittlung zu wiederholen ist;
- einer Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration; und
Übermitteln (802), zu dem Netzwerkknoten (110), der Präambel, wiederholt und beginnend
in dem bestimmten Start-Unterrahmen.
8. Verfahren, durchgeführt von einem Netzwerkknoten (110), zum Empfangen von Präambel-Übermittlung(en)
von einem Benutzerendgerät, UE (121), auf einem Direktzugriffskanal, wobei das Verfahren
umfasst:
Übermitteln einer Systemrahmennummer, SFN, an das Benutzerendgerät (121) und einer
Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration an das UE (121); und
Empfangen der Präambel-Übermittlung, wiederholt und beginnend in einem Start-Unterrahmen
wobei der Start-Unterrahmen durch das UE (121) und den Netzwerkknoten (110) bestimmt
wird, basierend auf zumindest der SFN, der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration und einer
Anzahl von Malen, R, die die Präambel-Übermittlung zu wiederholen ist.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8 wobei der Start-Unterrahmen basierend auf einem ersten Versatz
bestimmt wird, welcher von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration abhängig ist.
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8 oder 9 der Start-Unterrahmen basierend auf einem zweiten
Versatz bestimmt wird, welcher ein Zellenidentifizierer ist, wie beispielsweise eine
physische Zellenidentität, PCI, übermittelt an das UE (121) während einer Synchronisation
mit dem UE (121), oder der zweite Versatz ist eine in einem Systeminformationsblock
an das UE (121) übermittelte Zellenidentität.
11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10 der Start-Unterrahmen basierend auf einem
Präambel-Sequenz-abhängigen Versatz bestimmt wird; wobei der Präambel-Sequenz-abhängige
Versatz eine Funktion einer Anzahl von verfügbaren Präambeln für die Anzahl von Malen
ist, die die Präambel-Übermittlung zu wiederholen ist, oder der Präambel-Sequenz-abhängige
Versatz ist eine Funktion eines Physischer-Direktzugriffskanal-Sequenz-Index.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 wobei der Start-Unterrahmen für einen Rahmen mit SFN bestimmt
wird als jeder Unterrahmen
i, welcher erfüllt:

wobei
i ein Unterrahmen ist, umfassend für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen
in Rahmen SFN, wobei i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T der erste Versatz ist, welcher abhängig von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration
ist und einen Wert von T=1 annimmt falls für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen in lediglich
ungerade nummerierten Unterrahmen verfügbar sind, ansonsten T=0;
NSFN die Anzahl von Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
im Rahmen mit SFN umfassen;
N die durchschnittliche Anzahl an Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
umfassen;
T, N und NSFN von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration erlangt werden, welche von dem Netzwerkknoten
an das UE bereitgestellt wird; und
mod eine Modulo-Operation ist.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 wobei der Start-Unterrahmen für einen Rahmen mit SFN bestimmt
wird als jeder Unterrahmen
i, welcher erfüllt:

wobei
i ein Unterrahmen ist, umfassend für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen
in einem Rahmen SFN, wobei i=0,...,NSFN-1;
T ein erster Versatz ist, welcher abhängig von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration
ist und einen Wert von T=1 annimmt falls für den Direktzugriffskanal eingerichtete Funkressourcen in lediglich
ungerade nummerierten Unterrahmen verfügbar sind, ansonsten T=0;
NSFN die Anzahl von Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
im Rahmen mit SFN umfassen;
N die durchschnittliche Anzahl an Unterrahmen ist, welche mindestens eine Direktzugriffskanal-Ressource
umfassen;
T, N und NSFN von der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration erlangt werden, welche von dem Netzwerkknoten
an das UE bereitgestellt wird;
K der zweite Versatz ist; und
mod eine Modulo-Operation ist.
14. Netzwerkknoten (110) zum Empfangen von Präambel-Übermittlung(en) von einem Benutzerendgerät,
UE (121), auf einem Direktzugriffskanal, wobei der Netzwerkknoten (110) eingerichtet
ist zum:
Übermitteln einer Systemrahmennummer, SFN, an das Benutzerendgerät (121) und einer
Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration an das UE (121),
Empfangen der Präambel-Übermittlung, wiederholt und beginnend in einem Start-Unterrahmen
wobei der Start-Unterrahmen durch das UE (121) und den Netzwerkknoten (110) bestimmt
wird, basierend auf der SFN, der Direktzugriffskanal-Konfiguration und einer Anzahl
von Malen, R, die die Präambel-Übermittlung zu wiederholen ist.
15. Computerprogrammprodukt umfassend Programmcode-Teile zum Durchführen der Schritte
von einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6 und 8 bis 13 wenn das Computerprogrammprodukt von
einem oder mehreren Prozessoren ausgeführt wird.
1. Procédé mis en oeuvre par un équipement utilisateur, UE (121), permettant de mettre
en oeuvre des transmissions de préambule, sur un canal d'accès aléatoire, vers un
noeud de réseau (110), le procédé comprenant :
la détermination (801) d'une sous-trame de démarrage pour la ou les transmissions
de préambule basée au moins sur :
- un numéro de trame système, SFN, reçu du noeud de réseau (110) ;
- un nombre de fois, R, que la transmission de préambule doit être répétée ;
- une configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire ; et
la transmission (802), au noeud de réseau (110), du préambule commençant de manière
répétée dans la sous-trame de démarrage déterminée.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la détermination (801) de la sous-trame
de démarrage basée sur la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire consiste à déterminer
la sous-trame de démarrage basée sur un premier décalage qui est dépendant de la configuration
de canal d'accès aléatoire.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel la détermination
(801) consiste en outre à déterminer la sous-trame de démarrage basée sur un second
décalage qui est un identifiant de cellule tel qu'une identité de cellule physique,
PCI, reçue pendant une synchronisation avec le noeud de réseau (110), ou le second
décalage est une identité de cellule reçue dans un bloc d'informations de système
du noeud de réseau (110), ou le second décalage est déterminé par l'UE (121) sur la
base d'une identité de cellule de couche physique.
4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la détermination
(801) consiste en outre à déterminer la sous-trame de démarrage basée sur un décalage
dépendant d'une séquence de préambule ; le décalage dépendant d'une séquence de préambule
étant une fonction d'un nombre de préambules disponibles pour le nombre de fois que
la transmission de préambule doit être répétée, ou le décalage dépendant de la séquence
de préambule étant une fonction d'un indice de séquence de canal d'accès aléatoire
physique.
5. Procédé selon la revendication 2, consistant à déterminer la sous-trame de démarrage
pour une trame avec un SFN comme n'importe quelle sous-trame
i réalisant :

dans lequel,
i est une sous-trame comprenant les ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès
aléatoire dans une trame SFN, dans lequel i = 0,..., NSFN-1 ;
Test le premier décalage dépendant de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire
et prend la valeur T = 1 si des ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès aléatoire
sont disponibles seulement dans des sous-trames à numéros impairs, autrement T = 0
;
NSFN est le nombre de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès aléatoire
dans une trame avec un SFN ;
N est le nombre moyen de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès
aléatoire ;
T, N et NSFN étant déduits de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire fournie par le noeud
de réseau ; et
mod est une opération modulo.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 3, consistant à déterminer la sous-trame de démarrage
pour une trame avec un SFN comme n'importe quelle sous-trame
i réalisant :

dans lequel,
i est une sous-trame comprenant les ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès
aléatoire dans une trame SFN, dans lequel i = 0,..., NSFN-1 ;
T est un premier décalage dépendant de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire
et prend la valeur T = 1 si des ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès aléatoire
sont disponibles seulement dans des sous-trames à numéros impairs, autrement T = 0 ;
NSFN est le nombre de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès aléatoire
dans une trame avec un SFN ;
N est le nombre moyen de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès
aléatoire ;
T, N et NSFN étant déduits de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire fournie par le noeud
de réseau ;
K est le second décalage, et
mod est une opération modulo.
7. Équipement utilisateur, UE (121), permettant de mettre en oeuvre des transmissions
de préambule, sur un canal d'accès aléatoire, vers un noeud de réseau (110), l'équipement
utilisateur (121) étant conçu pour :
la détermination d'une sous-trame de démarrage pour la ou les transmissions de préambule
basée au moins sur :
- un numéro de trame système, SFN, reçu du noeud de réseau (110) ;
- un nombre de fois, R, que la transmission de préambule doit être répétée ;
- une configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire ; et
la transmission, au noeud de réseau (110), du préambule commençant de manière répétée
dans la sous-trame de démarrage déterminée.
8. Procédé mis en oeuvre par un noeud de réseau (110) permettant de recevoir une ou des
transmissions de préambule d'un équipement utilisateur, UE (121), sur un canal d'accès
aléatoire, le procédé comprenant :
la transmission d'un numéro de trame système, SFN, à l'UE (121) et une configuration
de canal d'accès aléatoire à l'UE (121) ; et
la réception de la transmission de préambule démarrant de manière répétée dans une
sous-trame de démarrage, la sous-trame de démarrage étant déterminée par l'UE (121)
et le noeud de réseau (110) sur la base au moins du SFN, de la configuration de canal
d'accès aléatoire et d'un nombre de fois, R, que la transmission de préambule doit
être répétée.
9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la sous-trame de démarrage est déterminée
sur la base d'un premier décalage qui est dépendant de la configuration de canal d'accès
aléatoire.
10. Procédé selon la revendication 8 ou la revendication 9, dans lequel la sous-trame
de démarrage est déterminée sur la base d'un second décalage qui est un identifiant
de cellule tel qu'une identité de cellule physique, PCI, transmise à l'UE (121) pendant
une synchronisation avec l'UE (121), ou le second décalage est une identité de cellule
transmise dans un bloc d'informations de système à l'UE (121).
11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, dans lequel la sous-trame
de démarrage est déterminée sur la base d'un décalage dépendant d'une séquence de
préambule ; le décalage dépendant d'une séquence de préambule étant une fonction d'un
nombre de préambules disponibles pour le nombre de fois que la transmission de préambule
doit être répétée, ou le décalage dépendant de la séquence de préambule étant une
fonction d'un indice de séquence de canal d'accès aléatoire physique.
12. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la sous-trame de démarrage est déterminée
pour une trame avec un SFN comme n'importe quelle sous-trame
i réalisant :

dans lequel,
i est une sous-trame comprenant les ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès
aléatoire dans une trame SFN, dans lequel i = 0,..., NSFN-1 ;
T est le premier décalage dépendant de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire
et prend la valeur T = 1 si des ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès aléatoire
sont disponibles seulement dans des sous-trames à numéros impairs, autrement T = 0
;
NSFN est le nombre de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès aléatoire
dans une trame avec un SFN ;
N est le nombre moyen de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès
aléatoire ;
T, Net NSFN étant déduits de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire fournie par le noeud
de réseau à l'UE ; et
mod est une opération modulo.
13. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la sous-trame de démarrage est déterminée
pour une trame avec un SFN comme n'importe quelle sous-trame
i réalisant :

dans lequel,
i est une sous-trame comprenant les ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès
aléatoire dans une trame SFN, dans lequel i = 0,..., NSFN-1 ;
T est un premier décalage dépendant de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire
et prend la valeur T = 1 si des ressources radio conçues pour le canal d'accès aléatoire
sont disponibles seulement dans des sous-trames à numéros impairs, autrement T = 0 ;
NSFN est le nombre de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès aléatoire
dans une trame avec SFN ;
N est le nombre moyen de sous-trames comprenant au moins une ressource de canal d'accès
aléatoire ;
T, N et NSFN étant déduits de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire fournie par le noeud
de réseau à l'UE ;
K est le second décalage, et
mod est une opération modulo.
14. Noeud de réseau (110) permettant de recevoir une ou des transmissions de préambule
d'un équipement utilisateur, UE (121), sur un canal d'accès aléatoire, le noeud de
réseau (110) étant conçu pour :
la transmission d'un numéro de trame système, SFN, à l'UE (121) et une configuration
de canal d'accès aléatoire à l'UE (121),
la réception de la transmission de préambule démarrant de manière répétée dans une
sous-trame de démarrage, la sous-trame de démarrage étant déterminée par l'UE (121)
et le réseau (110) sur la base du SFN, de la configuration de canal d'accès aléatoire
et d'un nombre de fois, R, que la transmission de préambule doit être répétée.
15. Produit de programme informatique comprenant des parties de code de programme permettant
de mettre en oeuvre les étapes selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 et
8 à 13 lorsque le produit de programme informatique est exécuté par un ou plusieurs
processeurs.